Tbactob



0. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I0. 1915- RENEWED' DEC. I4. l9l8.

Patented J un 24, 1919;

AW. 4 v mw. wwfi N\m QW d ,QN 6

' l3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Qmms'am W. JOHNSON.

Patented n ne 24, 1919.

I3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

0. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILEDAUGJU. 1915. RENEWED DEC. 14.1w].

1 307,673. Patented June 24, 1919.

$3 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

anva wl om QMJeF/afd/ 0. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.10. 1915. RENEWED DEC. I4, 1918.

1 $307,673., Patented June 24, 1919.

4 1 MI-lulu- 0. w. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION F|LED AUGJU. 2915i RENEWED DEC. I4. 1918.

v-Patenrd June 24, 1919.

13 SHEETSSHEET Z.

0 W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION HLED AUG.I0. 1915. RENEWED DEC. 14.1918.

Patented June 2%, 1919.

I3 SHEETSSHEET 8.

O. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED AUG.10. I915- RENEWED DEC. 14,1918.

Patented June 24, 1919.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

auvc wlioz Qldi//Emram -0. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED'AUGJOI 1915- RENEWED DEC. 14,1918.

1 307,673. v Patented June 24, 1919..

13 SHEETSSHEET l0.

O. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJO. I915- RENEWED- DEC. 14.1918.

Patented J 11116 24, 1919.

13 SHEETS-SHEET H- M m m 0. W. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.10.19I5- RENEWED DEC. 14.1918.

1 07,673. Patented June 24, 1919.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

0. w. JOHNSON.

TRACTOR.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.10 1915- RENEWED DEC- l4| 1 9 18- I 1 ,307,673. Patented June 24, 1919.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER W. JOHN SON, OF GENEVA, OHIO.

moron.

Specification of Letters ratents Application filed August 10, 1915, Serial No. 44,805. Renewed December 14, 1918. Serial No. 266,813.

A To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, OLIVER -W. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use-- ful Improvements in Tractors, of which the followlng is a specification. g

This invention relates to tractors audits object, generally stated, is to provide a trac-.

tor for farm use which will be of less weight than machines heretofore provided for the same purpose and which will be capable of generating high power and variable speeds including a satisfactory road speed.

More specifically stated, one object of the invention is to provide a tractor for use upon farms, in vineyards, on public highways, in the fields of military operations and other places, which will be very strong and low down; which will be impossible to upset; which may pass under low trees'or vines; and which may be produced at a low cost, the tractor being capable of pushing, pulling, or carrying'a considerable weight.

An important object of. the invention is to produce a machine which will most effectually withstand the racking and twisting to which it is subjected while in use, and to provide a construction which will possess some flexibility but will also be strong to prevent collapseunder heavy strains.

Another object of. theinvention is to provide a tractor equipped'witha cable so disposed that it may be utilized advantageously and readily to raise or lower agricultural implements, such as plows, cult-ivators, or barrows, and may also be utilized to assist in' extricating the tractor from dead furrows or mud-holes, or over an obstruction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tractor in which the engine or motor is so disposed relative to the transmlssion gearing that the power of the engine may or other objects will be effectually withstood and the steering wheels easily manipulated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of tractor or driving wheel and also to provide means for arrest tor wheels and so arran e the said means ing the movement of the propelling or tracthat the application of power to the tractor wheels will be cut oil" prior to the application of the brake, and will not be again applied until after the brake is released.

Another object of the invention is to so support the main shaft that itm'ay be easily removed from the main frame together with the parts mounted thereon and as easily-se cured in its proper position uponv the main frame; also to-providelan extension or supplemental shaft which may be readily attached to the main shaft at the will of the operH ator. 5

. Other objects of the invention will appear as the=description of'the same proceeds and the invention resides in certain novelfea- 80. tures WlllCll will be particularlypointediout in the claims following the description.

The invention-is illustrated in the accom panylng drawlngs in which: Y

Figure 1 is a plan view of atractor con- 5 vention. I

F g. 2 1s a side elevation of the same. Flg. 3 is a' plan view of the main. frame,

vstructed in accordance with-my present in- With the working parts removed therefrom.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the said frame.

Fig. 5 is a transverse-section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1. 0

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. r

Fig. 7 is a transverse section thro gh the driving or tractor wheels taken on t e line 7*7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the steering wheels on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the circular frame which carries the steering wheels.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the brakes and parts coacting therewith.

Fig. 11 is an elevationof the same. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of parts of the brake-operating devices. r

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section, with parts in elevation, of one of the clutches.

Fig. 14; is a view partly in-elevation and 110v partly in transverse section of the clutch.

' Fig. 1-5 is an elevation of one of the brackets fOrsupporting the main shaft.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same showing I bracket.

Fig. '19 is a transverse section of the same.

. Fig-.20 is a sideelevation of one of the brackets or supports for the rear axle.

Fig. 21 is an end elevation of the said Fig. 22 is a detail vertical section taken on the .line 22-22'of Fig.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a bracket which furnishes a connection between parts -of the main frame and also provides a support for one end of the Windlass shaft.

Fig. 24 is a rear elevation of the said bracket. f

Fig. 25 is a view showing in front elevation' the means for manipulating one of the clutches.

Fig. 26 is a v1ew partly in transverse section and partly in elevation of the same mechanism. j

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the bracke which supports the outer end of the windlass shaft or axle.

Fig. 28 is a detail perspective view of one of the corner brackets for joining the parts of the main frame.

Fig. 29 isa detail perspective view of a clamp for securing a supplemental or stub shaft to the main shaft.

Fig. 30 is a view showing, in elevation and in horizontal section, means for mounting the steering post upon the circular. frame.

Fig. 31. is a rear end elevation, partly insection, of the main frame.

Fig. 32 is a detail perspective view of the rear coupling or draw bar.

Fig. 33 is a detail perspective view of the bracket which carries the differential shaft= Fig. 34 is a vertical section through one of the bearings for the driving wheels.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a mainframe 1 which is constructed of channeled steel and is substantially U-shaped in plan view, as shown clearly in Fi s. land 3. The sides and rear end portion of the frame are integral. and the front extremities of the sides are bent inwardly obliquely, as shown at 2, so as to converge to and bear directly against a circular frame 3 which supports the steering ring or steering-wheel carrier 4-. By making the frame integral as shown and as stated, I secure great strength with a minimum quantity of material and thereby provide a highly desirable frame at low cost.

The circular frame 3 is secured to and between the front extremities of the oblique portions 2 of the main frame and also to a cross beam 5 which extends between the sides of the main frame at the rear ends of which will withstand very .that the machine may be driven over rough being serious of frame also permits the use of very light material while imparting ently more through which openings pass sprocket chains the inclined portions 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 3., The said circular frame 3 is thus very securely fastened and together with the converging front terminals of the main frame, forms an arch and circle construction fields at. a high speed without liability of its y damaged. This construction the strength to stand the twisting pr torsional strains which areplaced thereon by the shifting of the steering wheels in guiding the machine and thereby especially adapts the tractor for use in mil1tary---operations. In rear of and spaced from the transverse beam 5, and at heavy blows so about thelongitudinal center of the main.

frame'in the illustrated arrangement, Iprovide a cross beam 6, and longitudinal beams .7 extend between this cross beam and the rear end of the main frame as clearly shown. Between the beams-5 and 6, I provide cross beams 8- and 9 whichare in alinementwith each otherand are connected by a bracket 10 which has a forwardly projecting branch 11 extending to the beam 5 and also has a .rearwardly projecting lip 12 which is secured to a short long1tud1nal beam or hanger bracket 13 extending to the cross beam 6. A second short longitudinal beam or hanger bracket 14 extends between the beams 6 and 8 so as to effectually brace the structure and also support the main shaft, as will be presarticularly set forth. The bracket 10 is s own fully in Figs. 23 and 24 upon reference to-which it will be noted that the forwardly extending branch 11 of this brack extending between the beam 5 and the plane of the beams 8 and 9. The front'end of the said branch 11 is constructed with lateral wings, indicated at 15, which fit within the chann l of the front cross beam 5 and are bolted tion of this bracket 10 is projected above the beams 8 and 9 as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, and is constructed with openings 16 at opposite sides ofthe beam portion 11 hereinafter described. At the opposite sides et constitutes a short longitudinal beam.

rigidly thereto. The main body porof the main portion of the bracket are wings I or extensions 17 which nels of the beams 8 and 9 respectively and are bolted rigidly thereto as will be readily understood. Depending from the under edge of the forwardly extending branch 11, at the center of the same, is a hanger 18 which constitutes the upper member of a bearing or support for the inner end of the shaft which carries the Windlass or cable drum. This hanger 18 is constructed with reinforcing ribs and flanges 19 and in some of the said flan es are openings 20 through which, and simi fit within the chanar openings in flanges 21 of the lower bearing member '22, are passed suitable bolts to secure the said member 22 in position to supportthe Windlass shaft.

In the an les or corners. formed'by the meeting oft e side bars 1 and the ends of the cross'beam 5, I secure right and left hand brackets 23, one of which is shown. in; detail in Fig. 28. These brackets-are formed with wings or branches 24which are adapted to fit in the channels of the "side bars and the cross beam. respectively and be rigidly bolted thereto solas to furnish a strong connection between the cross beam and the side bars. They are also constructed with a web 25 which extends inwardly over the lower flange of the adjacent side bar and.has a de;

pending projection or rim 26 in which is --formed an eye 27 to permit the attachment of a road scraper or other' implement to the i .so

tractor frame. .By referring to Fig.3 more particularly, it will be readily understood that the brackets 23 are'disposed in the same transverse plane of the machine so. ,t'hata rod or other supporting -member"may be stantially, duplicates of these brackets.

' These brackets comprise a central web 29 which is adapted to fit within the channel of the side bar, as clearly shown in Fig. 17, and at the. ends of the said central web 29, are lateralwings 30 which fit withinthe channels of the cross-beams and are-bolted thereto. It will be readily understood that the ends of: the cross beams will be spaced from the webs of the side bars by the upper and lower flanges of the side bars and to reinforce the connection and also aid in'assembling the parts, the lateral wings 30 of the brackets 28 are provided with lugs or stops 31 which are so disposed as to lie'flush with theedies ofthe flanges on the side bar and abut t-e ends of the cross beams, thereby serving as guides and gages to insure accuracy in the assembling of the parts. Inasmuch as no time is lost in measuring the parts when fitting them together, the operation of assembling the frame will be very rapidly accomplished. The main web 29 of this bracket 28 is extended over the lower flange of the side bar, as shown at 32, and then depends below the. sidebar to provide a hanger or supporting plate 33'. This hanger or supporting plate is provided with an opening 34, reinforced by an annular rib or collar 35, to permit the mounting of a plow, harrow, or other agricultural implement upon the machine. It will be readily understood that the front end of the said implement will be pivotally secured in the opening 34: sothat the implement may bereadily raised or lowered in tillage opera-i o I tions." Near the front end of the'plate or hanger 33 is a vertically disposed, notch or slot 36 having an open lower. end to permit the main shaft 37, with the bearin s"'38' therefor, to be readily pushed upwar ly to its prope'r position relative to the plate, as

be readily understoodonr'eference to Fig. 15. ;To' support the said shaft and its bearing against dropping, a latch 39 is secured to the outer side of, the hanger 33 and fits in seats 40 provided therefor in. the ribs 41 formed on the face of-the hanger-at the sides .of the notch 36. This latch 39 bears directly against the underside of an angular projection 4=2=on the bearing 38, the arrangement serving hold the bearing positively inits position 1n the hanger as will be readily understoodon-reference to Fig. 15.-- It.

will be understoodthat'the main shaft is supported in this described manner upon the side of the main frame andzupon each of the beams, 13 and l'so'that by merely releasin three latches 39, the entire main shaft wit all the parts mounted thereon may be with-. drawn. It will also be understood thatthe several gears, clutches, and bearings may be assembled upon' the main shaft-before the shaft is placed in the. hangers and the assembled structure then placed in position.

The beams 7 are disposed with their channeled faces opposed to each other and the front ends of the said beams are disposed j immediately 1 adjacent the cross beam 6 Upon the .said'cross beam is fitted a bracket .43 (see Fig. having forwardly projecting arms 44 above the said cross beam-which furnish bearings for the differential shaft from which power is applied to the traction or driving wheels. The body of the said bracket has a depending portion 44 which fits against andis secured to the beam 6 and also has a laterally expanded depending portion 44 which fits within the channel of .each of the beams 7' and is rigidly secured thereto by suitable bolts so that a strong connection between the beams 6 and 7 will be, provided, .it being understood that the front ends of the beams 7 abut the portion 44" of the bracket. The portion 44" depends below the beams 7 and is constructed with an eye 15 (see Figs. 2 and 3) which furnishes a centrally from the said wings 46 so as to re-- inforce the wall 48 from which the arms 44 project. It willbe readily understood,

' that the beam 6 is so disposed thatits chanends abuttin squarely against the bracket while the-en s of the beams 13 and 14 are provided with'lateral wings fittmg 1n the channels of the beams6 andv 8 respectlvely' so as to be. ri 'dly secured. thereto.

Between t e rear ends of the beams 7 is fitted a laterally expanded web 49" depending from the rear coupling .49 which has its coupling jaws 50. rojecting rearwardly from'a transverse b y 51 which rests upon the up'per side of-the rear end .of the mam frame. The jaws 50 may be utilized to couple a wa on or other vehicle to the tractor so that t e'power of the tractor may be used to haul loads. The coupling body 51 has a central rib 52 which extends to the lateral wings 53 whereby the, bodywill be reinforced and the depending web of the couplin has a transverse portion, indlcated at 54, w ich fits into the channel of the rear end 55 of the main frame so that movement between the parts will be positively prevented.- The top of this coupling is flat so that a wagon bolster may rest thereon and suitable openings are formed verticall in the jaws to receive a coupling pin whic will be inserted through the bolster or through a wagon pole or other connection. The axle or rod 56, upon which the r0- elling Wheels are mounted, is carrie in brackets which are secured rigidly to the side bars 1 and the longitudinal beams 7 at the centers of the same. One of the brackets for supporting the ends of the rod 56 is ShOWIIlIl Fi 2 and is also shown in Fig. 7 from which it will be noticed that the said bracket has an upper web 57 which fits in the channel of the side bar 1 and is rigidly bolted thereto. From: this web 57 the bracket is deflected, as shown at 58, over the lower flange of the side bar and has a depending portion or hanger 59 constituting the upper memberof a clamp for securing the end of the rod 56. The lower edge of this hanger 59 is provided with a semicircular notch and a supporting plate 60 having a corresponding notch is bolted rigidly to the lower edge of the hanger so as to support the rod or axle 56 as will be readily understood/The said rod or axle is not mounted for rotation, but is held against such movement by an immovable key 61 carried by and preferably integral with the hanger and seating in the rod. The brackets are duplicated at the two ends of the rod or axle and the central portion of the said rod or axle is supported by a bracket 62 shown most clearl in Figs. 7, 20 and 21. This bracket 62 has an upper portion com rising a central web 63 having lateral tubu r projections 64 on its sides which are adapted to fit closel within the channels of the opposed beams and receive bolts by which the bracket is secured rigidly to and between the said beams. It will be readily understood that the web 63 fits between the flanges of the beams 7 so that transverse movement of the bracket is positively prevented and it is intended to use a suflicent number of bolts to positively revent longitudinal movement of the brac ets Without shearing of the bolts. Below the web 63, the bracket is expanded laterally, as shown at 65, and from the ends of the said expanded ortions depend hanger members 66 to w ich are bolted the plates 67 which extend under the axle or rod 56. A key 68 is formed 7 in the semi-circular notch of each hanger 66 so as to aid in preventing the rotation of the axle. The construction just described effectually secures the axle 56 to the main frame and tprovides an additional brace for the main ame so that spreading or'twisting of the frame at a the rear end is prevented. It will be readily noted that my frame is very efiiciently braced throughout so that it may be constructed of light material and will be found strong enough to Withstand very severe usage.

As previously stated, the front ends of the main frame are secured to a circular frame 3 which is supported'b the steering ring 4. As shown most clear y in Fig. 22, the circular frame -3 is provided with lugs, offsets, or bosses 69 which are so shaped as to fit closely within the channels of the portions 2 of the main frame and a securing bolt 70 is inserted through the said lug or boss 69 and the immediately adjacent portion 2 of the main frame so as to secure the circular frame 3 rigidly to the main frame. It will be readily understood that by providing these bosses 69 I obtain an extended engagement between the circular frame and the main frame so that the strain applied to the parts is not transmitted entirely to the securing bolt but is borne b the said bosses also and shearing of the b0 t, and the consequent dropping of the circulai frame with resultant serious damage to the machine, is avoided. The' lugs 69 are formed upon an upper portion 71' of the frame3 and "below the said portion 71, the frame isprovided with adepending rail 72 having an outwardly projecting horizontal flange 73 at its lower end. The portion 72 of the circular frame is provided with a vertical wall and an overhanging wall adapted to coact with the outer surface of the steerm'g ring 4 to form a raceway forballs or other anti-friction devices, as shown in Fig. 8, whereby the weight of the circular frame and the front end of the main frame will be carried by the steering wheel without excessive wear upon the parts. Brackets 74 are secured at intervals to the flange -7 3 and depends therefrom and are then turned'in- Wardly in spaced relation to the flange so as to project under the steering vwheel carrier and thereby guard against separation of the parts and dropping of the steering chain.

' In Fig. 8, I have shown balls 75 disposed in the raceway formed by the depending rail portion 72 and the outer peripheral surface of the steering ring 4. Upon the peripheral surface of the said ring 4, I form a concave annular seat, indicated at 7 6, which supports 10 the balls or rollers 75 and below the said seat,

the steering ring is constructed with an annular groove or spaced annular ribs, as shown at 77, whereby to accommodate the steering chain 78. p The ring is further provided, within the said chain-receiving groove or recess, with lugs 79 (see Fig. 9) in which may be engaged hooks, turn-buckles or similar devices at the ends of the steering chain so as to secure the chain to the steering ring and compensate for the Wear of the chain. As shown in Fig. 9 the lugs 79 are located apart about one-third of the periphery of the steering ring and I am thereby enabled to get a positive pull upon the ring so as to turn the same through a wide arc in the operation of steering around a corner without liability to detach the chain. The steering post 80 is disposed in the triangle formed by the cir- -cular frame, one of the portions 2 of the main frame, and the front cross beam 5, as

shown most clearly in- Fig. 1," and the steering chain 78 passes around a sprocket pinion 81 on the lower extremity of the steering post whereby the chain will be supported and I will be positively actuated when the steeringpost ismanipulated. A handle wheel 82 is provided atthe top of the steering post and a seat, indicated in dottedlines at 83, in Fig. 2, is disposed over the drum or Windlass immediately in rear of the steering post so that the operator may easily reach and. con trol the same. The steering ring is provided with a small upstanding tooth or lug 84 upon its upper edge at a point midway between the inwardly extending brackets 85 which provide supports for the axle of the steeringwheels. This tooth orprojection is adapted to cooperate with the ribs 86 formed on the circular frame 3 so as to accurately gage the turning of the machine. The frame 3 is further provided with a bracket or coupling 87 which corresponds, in general form to the coupling 49' at the rear end of the main frame so that, if desired, the tractor may be coupled to a vehicle so as to either ush or pull the same, This coupling bracket 87 should be made quite large and heavy so that it will withstand the shocks imposed upon the structure by the mach ne striking large trees or rocks through careless steering or other causes. The brackets 85 are preferably formed integral with the steering ring 4 on the inner peripheral wall of the same and are provided in their under sides 5 with notches or recesses adapted to receive the front axle 88. The axle is supported in the said brackets by plates 89 rigidly secured to the under sides of the brackets 85, as will be readily understood. The steering wheels 90 are rotatably mounted upon the axle 88 and consist of drums 91 to the inner peripheral surfaces of which are secured disks or plates 92 having flanges 93 at their outer edges through which bolts or rivets are inserted to secure the said plates to the drums. These rivets or bolts are shown at 94 in Fig. 8 and also serve to secure tread rlngs or tires 95 to the outer surfaces of the drums. The inner edges of the plates 92 are seated against and rigidly secured to annular flanges or ribs 96 which project from sleevesor cylindrical casings 97 within which are provided a series of rollers 98 which fit between the axle 88 and the inner wall of the casing 97 so, as to provide anti-friction bearings for the steering wheels to permit their free rotation about the axle. The outer ends of the casings 97 are closed by caps 99 which may be secured to the axle in any convenient manner while the inner ends of the said casings are covered by a spacer 100 having a collar 101 at its edge which projects over the opposed inner ends of the easings, as will be readily understood on refere'nce to Fig. 8. .It will be readily noted that .the steering wheels may rotate very freely about the axle and the treadrings or ribs 95 will. effect a very secure engagement of the steering wheels with the ground so that skidding will be reduced to a minimum. Moreover, the construction is very economical as the drums may be produced very easily and may be made of light material, inas-* much as the tread rings 95 and the inner disks or plates 92 effectually brace the drums and prevent collapsing of the same.

The machine-is steered by turning the hand wheel 82 in one or the other direction so as to impart motion to .the steering post and through the same and the chain 78-to 110. the steering ring. -The lug or tooth 84-and the ribs 86 are important features of my steering mechanism inasmuch as the. ribs serve to indicate points beyond which the tooth 84 should not be carried as the steering 115 wheels will then be disposed almost at a right angle to the driving wheels and, conseuently, the efforts of the engine to propel .t e machine will be a t to cause it to turn over the steering whee s instead of following them about a corner. At the same time, when the steering ring has been turned so that the tooth 84 is sll fi antially in alinement with either rib 86, the machine may be turned to either side and Willbe driven around the turn by ,one of the driving wheels, the other driving wheel, serving practically as a pivot for the machine in its steering movement.

The steering post '80 mounted a hol- 136 low casin 102 so that it may rotate readily and will be supported in its proper operative position at alltimes. This hollow casing 102 is provided at its lower end with lateral brackets or attaching plates 103 and 104. The lower of these plates or brackets, 104, is adapted to extend under the flange 73 of the circular frame 3 and is provided with openings through which bolts or rivets-may be inserted to secure the same to the said flange. The upper bracket, 103, is provided with a depending rib or strengthening wall 105 and is adapted ,to fit directly against the outer surfaceof the rail or depending ortion 72 of the circular frame 3 and be rigidly secured to the same.

The driving or tractor wheels are mounted upon the rear axle 56 so as to rotate about the same and comprise drums consisting of cylindrical shells 106 having heads 107 secured in their ends by means of bolts or rivets inserted through annular flanges 108 formed on said heads and through the shells as will be readily understood. The heads 107 are secured to circular plates 109 which are disposed concentric with the axle 56 and are in turn secured to annular ribs 110 formed on the outer surface of rings or col-' lars 111 having concave inner surfaces which receive the convex outer peripheries of rings 112 which project from the cylindrical casings or sleeves 113 containing rollers 114 which bear upon the axle 56 as shown in Figs. 7 and 34, and thereby permit the drums to rotate easily and with very little Wear about the axle.

By referring particularly to Fig. 34, it will be noted that the rib 110 fits within a dished portion of the plate 109 and the central portion of the said plate is the complement of the ring or collar 111. The rings 112 and the sleeves 113 are duplicated and are held in place by the collars 111 and the complementary portions of the plates 109. The engaging concave and convex surfaces of the members 109, 111 and 112 permit the drums or traction Wheels to rock in vertical planes and thereby permit the machine to be driven over very rough roads without being I subjected to racking strains. Internal annular radial flanges 111 are formed on the rings 111 and the plates 109 to lie alongside of or overlap the rings 112 and thereby limit the rocking movement so as to prevent separation of the parts. The inner ends of the sleeve 113 are expanded annularlv to fit around-the spacing ring or cage 113 which position the rollers 114 while the outer ends of the sleeves are closed by caps or Washers in any preferred manner.

The central circular plates 109 have their outer edges offset from the heads 107, as

shown at 115, and to these ofi'set edges, I secure a ring 116 constituting one member of the brake mechanism. This ring or brake 121" disposed eccentrically a ove and below the fulcrum which are engaged by turnbuckles 120 attached to the ends of the brake band. This lever 121 projects upwardly from the stud and is connected by a link 122 to a crank arm 123 carried by the rock shaft 124 which is mounted in the bearing-45 and in similar bearings provided upon the side bars. The crank arm 123 at one end of the rock shaft has. its upper end pivoted to a connecting rod 125 which extends forwardly and has 1ts front end pivoted to a handle lever 126 fulcrumed upon the main frame immediately adjacent the steering post. This lever carries dogs 127 controlled through a handle 128 and adapted to engage notches formed in the upper side of.

a bracket 129 secured upon the main frame, the said bracket being slotted to fit around the lever and thereby hold the same against lateral vibration, the dogs acting alternately so that one will hold the lever in a forwardly adjusted position and the other will hold the lever in a rearwardly' adjusted position, the inactive dog merely sliding on a smooth portion of the upper surface of the bracket. It will be readily understood, on reference to Fig. 11, that if the lever 126 be manipulated so as to rock theshaft 124 and also cause the lever .121 to swing forwardly, the brake bands will be tightened about the brake drums and arrest the rotation of the driving attained without any sacrifice of strength in the frame. 4

Upon the outer peripheral surface of each drum 106, I secure series of shoes or tread plates 130. These shoes or tread plates are disposed in two series as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the adjacent ends of the shoes of the two series extending past the central radial plane of the drum, whereby they will overlap, and the shoes being disposed at an inclination or diagonally upon the periphery of the drum so that, when themachine is traveling, one shoe or tread plate will engage the surface of the ground before the preceding shoe or tread plate leaves the ground and the adjacent shoes will be so close together that there will be no jarring in the travel of the machine and, while it will be positively propelled and skidding will be prevented, the defacing and disruption of paved roads will be avoided. The several series of tread plates are secured positively to the frame by bolts or rivets 131 inserted through the ends of the plates into the drum and having their outer endsflush with the surfaces of the shoes.

The engine may be of any desired character but will preferably be of the internal combustion type and is indicated conventionally at132. As shown in the drawings, the engine does not extend longitudinally of the machine, but is disposed transversely thereof so that it economizes space and permits the machine to be more readily balanced. The engine will be preferably disposed within a housing or casing 133 and the fuel tank 134 will preferably be disposed transversely of the machine in the center of the same and in advance of the cross beam 5, being supported in brackets -135 which are constructed in two parts adapted to encircle the tank at the ends of the same and connected by a suitable bolt or other fastening 136. The lower of these parts projects from the upper end of a standard 137 rising from the cross beam 5 and bolted rigidly thereto. The fuel tank may be connected in any convenient manner with the carbureter so as to feed the same and supply fuel to the engine, and, as it is in advance of the engine and at the front end of the machine, the danger of the tank being heated is minimizedn-At the front side of the casing 133 which incloses the engine, is

placed a radiator 138 and across the front a side of the said radiator is a bar 139 which supports a fan casing 140 in which is a fan 141 driven through a beltl42 and suitable pulleys from the shaft of the engine. The radiator is connected by pipes 143 with the water jacket of the engine and a suitable pump whereby circulation ofthe water is effected and the temperatureof the engine kept at the proper degree. The engine shaft is shown at 144 and carries a fly wheel 145 which is constructed with sprocket teeth 146. A housing 147 contains the usual transmission gear and the outer end of the transmission shaft is disposed between the said housing and the bracket 10 and carries a sprocket wheel 148 around which is trained a sprocket chain 149. Supported bythe engine housing 133- and by a standard 150 risingfrom the casing 147 is a slidably mounted starting shaft 151, one end of the said shaft being provided with a crank or other handle 152 while the other end of the shaft is fitted in a collar 153 having ratchet teeth 154 upon one edge. Between the fixed bearing 155 and the stop 156 upon the starting shaft, a spring 157 is coiled around the shaft so' that, by its expansion, it tends to hold the crank 152 away from the standard 150. A pinion be rotated, the collar 153 and the fly wheel.

145 will be also rotated. The rotation of the fly wheel will start the engine in the usual manner and, when the engine commences to operate under the force of explosions, the fly wheel will cause the pinion 158 to rotate at a higher speed than the collar 153 so that the ratchet teeth 159 will ride out upon the ratchet teeth 154 and push the pinion out of engagement with the fly wheel. Injury to 'the operator is thereby avoided. It will. be readlly noted that the starting shaft may be manipulated from the seat 8' The casing 147 houses the usual transmission or reversing and speed-reducing gearing as previously stated and the said gearing is controlled through a lever 160. The motion imparted to the transmission shaft will set up rotation of the sprocket wheel 148 and will be transmitted through the chain 149 to a sprocket wheel 161 upon the main shaft 37. The said shaft 37 is sup-' ported in the hangers 33, as previously described and the sleeves 38 which encircle the shaft are preferably formed integral with the angular members 42 so thatthe shaft Wlll be supported in position to properly transmit the motion to the several working mechanisms. The upper portion of the member 42 is grooved or recessed, as shown at 162, (Fig. 18-), to engage the edge of the upper wall of the notch 36. The grooves 162 are provided by forming upon the upper side of the member 42 small lugs 162 which engage the top edge of the. notch 36 sufficiently close to prevent longitudinal movement of the bearing and the shaft but which are short enough to permit relative rocking movements of the parts so that the shaft is not apt to break under the twisting strain to which it is subjected during the travel of the machine. Bearing rollers 163 carried in spacer rings 164 are mounted within the casing 38 and the outer end of the casing is closed by a cap 165, a slight clearance being left between the ends of the rollers and the ends of the casing so that the shaft 37 may move in any direction without becoming disengaged from its supports and the-working elements may readily accommodate themselves to the vibration of the machine in traveling over rough surfaces.

The sprocket wheel 161 is secured to a.

drum 166 rotatablv fitted upon the main shaft 37 or a bushing thereon adjacent the 

